Malacanang on Thursday said it is thankful that majority of Filipinos agree that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the extra-judicial killings done during his term's bloody war on drugs.

51% of Pinoys agree Duterte must be held liable for EJK victims of drug war: SWS

“Natutuwa po tayo na majority po ng mga taumbayan ay sumasang-ayon sa ginagawa ng pamahalaan,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

A Social Weather Stations survey conducted from February 15 to 19 showed that 51 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte must be liable for the drug suspects that have been killed under his administration, while 25 percent said they disagree.

Meanwhile, 14 percent indicated they are undecided while 10 percent said they lack knowledge to give an opinion.

The survey asked over 1800 respondents nationwide for their insights. The survey was commissioned by the Stratbase Group.

Despite being deemed as a Duterte stronghold, the SWS said Visayas has the highest agreement to holding former Philippine leader accountable for the EJKs at 62 percent.

In Mindanao, which is known as Duterte's bailiwick, 47% also agree to holding him liable.

In the interview, Castro said the Palace aims to address “fake news” surrounding Duterte’s arrest following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court. 

Even the Supreme Court is taking action following a false report that the High Court had issued a temporary restraining order against the arrest and transfer of former president Duterte to The Hague.

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She also reminded Vice President Sara Duterte about her duties after the latter followed her father to The Hague in The Netherlands after his arrest.

The former president is currently at the ICC’s detention center at The Hague in the Netherlands. He is facing a complaint on crimes against humanity of murder in relation to alleged killings in his years-long brutal drug war.

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The ICC only mentioned about 43 alleged EJK cases, though right groups said there were around 30,000 killings recorded.

A hearing to confirm the charges is set at September 23.